CVE-2023-4041
Memory Safety in Silabs Gecko Bootloader ≤ 4.2.4
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HCVSS and EPSS are reproduced from their sources (NVD, FIRST EPSS). Risk Priority is our own derived reading, not an NVD score.
Summary
CVE-2023-4041 is a critical-severity Classic Buffer Overflow (CWE-120) vulnerability in Silabs Gecko Bootloader. Its CVSS base score is 9.8 (Critical).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Compromise Software Dependencies and Development Tools (T1195.001); ranked at the 32th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2023-53933
Vulnerability Data
Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow'), Out-of-bounds Write, Download of Code Without Integrity Check vulnerability in Silicon Labs Gecko Bootloader on ARM (Firmware Update File Parser modules) allows Code Injection, Authentication Bypass.This issue affects "Standalone" and…
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"Application" versions of Gecko Bootloader.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Control response
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- 9 hardening rules · 5 OS baselines
V5.2.1
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Authorizing and controlling mobile code requires verifying origin and integrity before download/execution, directly preventing this weakness.
Policies can require integrity verification of software prior to installation, reducing risks from unverified downloads.
Blocks installation of components lacking a valid signature, mitigating download or installation of code without integrity checks.
Acquisition and maintenance portions of the strategy drive requirements for integrity verification of downloaded or supplied code.
Mandating integrity control and approved-only changes during development prevents incorporation of code or components lacking integrity validation.
Supply chain protection requires integrity verification of acquired components, directly reducing insertion or tampering of malicious code during delivery.
Reduces exposure to code obtained without integrity verification by requiring assurance processes that confirm authenticity and absence of tampering.
Tamper resistance and detection commonly include integrity verification of code and firmware obtained from external sources.
Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Vulnerability identification processes such as code review or scanning detect classic buffer overflows before exploitation.
Directly requires assessing authenticity/integrity of software before acquisition and use, preventing unverified downloads.
Requires cryptographic integrity protections (signatures/hashes) for data-in-transit, covering downloaded code.
Routine patching replaces vulnerable code containing unchecked buffer copies with corrected versions.
Prevents execution of unauthorized software, blocking the outcome of an unchecked download.
Secure development practices directly enforce bounds checking and input validation that prevent classic buffer overflows.
Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Mandating integrity checks, digital signatures, and origin tracing for ICT components directly reduces the chance that code or firmware lacking an integrity check will be accepted into the organisation’s environment.
Hardening callouts derived
Configuration rules from DISA STIG baselines that bear on weaknesses of the type cited by this CVE. Each rule is shown with the relationship its mapping actually records, against the CWE it was authored against. Derived via CVE→CWE over `controls_xwalks` (higher-evidence rows only; rows rated `none` are excluded).
Oracle Linux 8 (1 rule)
- V-248575 OL 8 must prevent the installation of software, patches, service packs, device drivers, or operating system components of local packages without verification they have been digitally signed using a certificate that is issued by a Certificate Authority (CA) that is recognized and approved by the organization. blocks CWE-494
Oracle Linux 9 (1 rule)
- V-271524 OL 9 must check the GPG signature of software packages originating from external software repositories before installation. blocks CWE-494
RHEL 7 (2 rules)
- V-204447 The Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating system must prevent the installation of software, patches, service packs, device drivers, or operating system components from a repository without verification they have been digitally signed using a certificate that is issued by a Certificate Authority (CA) that is recognized and approved by the organization. blocks CWE-494
- V-204448 The Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating system must prevent the installation of software, patches, service packs, device drivers, or operating system components of local packages without verification they have been digitally signed using a certificate that is issued by a Certificate Authority (CA) that is recognized and approved by the organization. blocks CWE-494
RHEL 8 (1 rule)
- V-230264 RHEL 8 must prevent the installation of software, patches, service packs, device drivers, or operating system components from a repository without verification they have been digitally signed using a certificate that is issued by a Certificate Authority (CA) that is recognized and approved by the organization. blocks CWE-494
RHEL 9 (1 rule)
- V-257820 RHEL 9 must check the GPG signature of software packages originating from external software repositories before installation. blocks CWE-494